He was quoted in the story that claimed Carson had "fabricated" details about receiving a full scholarship to the US Military Academy at West Point. The story's original headline insinuated the campaign had "admitted' as much.

"I had chatted with the reporter via email, and I literally sent an email and two minutes later his story was posted," Carson's campaign manager Barry Bennett told INSIDER. "Immediately, I started emailing saying, 'Your story is wrong, your story is wrong.' But he ignored me."

The story centered on a passage from Carson's 1990 memoir, "Gifted Hands." In it, Carson wrote about being offered a scholarship to West Point after meeting with a prominent Vietnam War general.

"I had dinner with him and the Congressional Medal winners," Carson wrote of a 1969 meeting with Gen. William Westmoreland, who had been in command of US forces in Vietnam.

"Later I was offered a full scholarship to West Point."

Politico found that West Point had no record of Carson applying to the program, much less being offered a scholarship or being accepted. Technically, there are no full scholarships to West Point, as costs are covered in exchange for military service. A member of Congress or military official — like Westmoreland — must nominate a person before they can begin the process that leads to acceptance.

Politico published the story after Bennett sent them an email that said Carson did not apply to West Point.

"Dr. Carson was the top ROTC student in the City of Detroit," Bennett told Politico. "In that role he was invited to meet General Westmoreland. He believes it was at a banquet. He can't remember with specificity their brief conversation but it centered around Dr. Carson's performance as ROTC City Executive Officer."

"He was introduced to folks from West Point by his ROTC Supervisors," Bennett continued. "They told him they could help him get an appointment based on his grades and performance in ROTC. He considered it but in the end did not seek admission."

Bennett told INSIDER that, although Carson didn't apply to West Point and was not accepted, the word of Westmoreland was strong enough that Carson could confidently say it was the offer of a full scholarship in the sense that he wouldn't have to pay for his education while there.

"Could you argue that he substituted the word 'nomination' for 'full scholarship?'" Bennett said. "Sure."

Politico changed the story and headline Friday afternoon, but the publication said it stood by its reporting.

In a press conference later Friday, Carson said he never claimed to receive a full scholarship.

"Wait a minute, don't lie! I never said that I received a full scholarship. Nowhere did I say that," he said. "Politico, as you know, told a bold-faced lie. They've been called out on that by The Washington Post and by The New York Times and I'm sure there will be several others who will call them out on that because there are actually some people with integrity in your business."